For his fifth studio album Joakim holed himself up in his New York apartment – but it’s quite clear from listening to this that Paris is still in the forefront of his mind. This is a stylistically adventurous piece of work that builds on 80s funk with some clever and witty explorations, reaching its peak in songs like the wistful ‘Bring Your Love’, which features Luke Jenner of The Rapture, opening out beautifully to its chorus in a way that suits Jenner’s voice perfectly. Elsewhere the DFA New York sound is well in evidence – a good thing, obviously! – and ‘3 Laser Fingers’ has a really nice, broad sound, while the autobiographical ‘This Is My Life’ is a riot that Mr Oizo would have been proud of. Meanwhile ‘Each Other’, featuring the wonderfully named Akwetey (Dragons Of Zynth), demands movement on the part of its listener. It would be rude not to oblige!
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
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